Trying to remember sci-fi short story: Dystopia with all labour scripted

October 12, 2017 4:19 AM

A year or two ago I read a sci-fi short story, it was freely available online. The first half is a chillingly plausible dystopia where all human workers use headsets feeding them step-by-step instructions, turning nearly the entire workforce into automatons. (Starting with fast food outlets but eventually subsuming nearly all professions.) The second half is a less convincing techno-utopia in Australia.
posted by snarfois to Society & Culture (4 answers total)

I, too, remember reading this story. I have no idea where it was, but I can confirm that it existed.
posted by timdiggerm at 4:28 AM on October 12, 2017

Best answer: Manna by Marshall Brain (found it on Reddit by searching for "short story sf headset instructions fast food")
posted by EndsOfInvention at 4:44 AM on October 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

Response by poster: Five minutes! Thanks EndsOfInvention. I was unable to formulate a successful search query, but you've done it.
posted by snarfois at 4:48 AM on October 12, 2017

Worthwhile also reading the FAQ.
posted by Sophont at 6:00 PM on October 12, 2017